Egypt’s ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) on Sunday issued a statement regarding the ongoing clashes outside the Cabinet building in downtown Cairo, stressing that its goal was to “protect the property of the great Egyptian people.”

In its statement, the SCAF referred to a “malicious plan” aimed at destabilizing the country. “Based on the SCAF’s belief in the importance of communicating with the Egyptian people and the youth of the revolution, [we issue this statement]” the declaration reads. “Don’t we have the right to defend the property of the great Egyptian people, which we swore to protect?”

The SCAF insisted that military personnel had exercised the highest degrees of self-restraint in dealing with protesters.

Meanwhile, by Dr. Nabil el-Arabi, Secretary General of the League of Arab States has deeply regretted the outcome of the recent violent events in Cairo. He has warned of "dragging the country into a state of confusion and political insecurity."